Machine for stapling handles on bags



il 12 1927. Apr T. M. AVERY MACHINE FOR STAPLINGHANDLES ON BAGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 16. 1923 qllll II I 1,624,854 p 2 1927' 'r. M. AVERY MACHINE FOR STAPLING HANDLES 0N BAGS Filed Jan. 16, 192:5 5 Sheets-Sheet z //4 w z"- 2 5 j 2. T T

Fa; W 14W v 1,624,854 Ap 12 1927' TQM. AVERY MACHINE FOR STAPLING HANDLES 0N BAGS 1 Filed Jan. 16. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 LLI Qwuawtoz 1,624,854 Aprll 12, 1927. AVERY MACHINE FOR STAPLING HANDLES 0N BAGS Filed Jan. 16. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 y r Ti 5 4a (3&5; (34/58 I 7/ ae Wing April 12, 1927..

T. M. AVERY MACHINE FOR STAPLING HANDLES ON BAGS 5 Sheet-Sheei; 5

Filed Jan. 16. 1923 Patented Apr. 12,1927;

UNITED -s"rATEs PATENT OFFICE.

TRUE M. AYEY, OF GLENS FALLS, NEW. YORK, 'ASSIGNOR TO UNION BAG;& PAPER CORPORATION, OF HUDSON FALLS, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 01 NEW JERSEY. i

MACHINE FOR STAPL ING HANDLES ON BAGS.

Application filed January 16, 1923. Serial No.. 613,035.

The present invention relates to improvements in machines for fastening handles upon bags or for performing similar operat-ions, and the primary object is to provide 5 a novel and improved machine of this character. whereby the performance of .such an operation is facilitated and expedited, safety to the operator or attendant is insured, uniformity in the product is attained, and other 1 practical advantages as willhereinafter appear, are secured.

The invention provides a bag holder upon which the bag may be easily and quickly applied, and, immediately following the starting of the machine, the bag is gripped or held in proper position on the holder and is carried by the latter into position to receive the staples or other handle-fastening devices. It also provides means operative immediately prior to the applicationof the staples or fastening devices, to engage the handle and place and hold it in proper position for fastening to the bag and incorrect position to receive the staples or fastening devices. The holder releases its grip on the bag after the handle has been stapled or fastened. thus enabling thebag to be easily and quickly removed from the machine.

A safety starting device is provided which requires manipulation by both hands of the attendant in order to start. the machine into operation, thereby insuring the attendant against injury to either hand which might otherwise become caught and injured by the handle fastening mechanism.

The machine is so constructed that it will automatically perform this cycle of operation, each time the starting device is actuated, it being only necessary for the attendant to apply the bag to the holder, to actuate the starting device and to remove the bag after the cycle of operations has been completed. the machine stopping automatically with the bag holder in a position which fac litates the removal of the stapled 'bag and the application of the next bag to-be stapled.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements and combinat ons and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the

features of novelty being pointed outpar ti'cnlarly in the claims at the end of the specification.

' In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention for stapling cord handles upon as a I Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine as viewed'from the right-in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view, partly in section, and on an enlarged scale, illustrating the bag holder and the stapling mechanism;

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the bag holder and its related mechanism, the stapling mechanism being removed."

- Figure 5 represents a cross section through the blag holder, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure Figure 6 is a front elevation of the bracket on the head of the machine which supports the stapling'mechanism;

Figures 7 and'8 are detail views, partly in section, illustrating the actuating mechanism for the stapling wire feeders;

Figures 9, 1'0 and 11 illustrate one of the stapling devices showing the successive operations which form the wire into staples and drive the staples into the bag to fasten the handle thereto; 1 v

Figure 12 represents a section through one of the stapling devices, on the line. 12--12 of Figure 9; 7

Figure 13 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the operating means for the different mechanisms of the machine;

Figure 14 is a detail view of the starting device and" the mechanism for actuating the bag holder. it being a section on the line 114f15 of Figure 13 looking toward the Figure 15 is a detail view of the means for imparting motion to themechanism which actuates the stapling wire feeders, it being a section on the line 1415 of Figure 13 looking toward the right;

Figure 16 represents a detail section taken axially through the clutch which initiates and terminates the cycle of operations of the machine;

Figure 17 shows the clutch as viewed from the right in Figure 16;

Figure 18 represents a section through one of the members of the clutch, taken on the line 1818 of Figure 16;

.Figure 19 is a face view of a portion ofthe clutch member, part of which is shown in Figure 18; and a Figure 20 illustrates a portion of a bag, partly in section, showing the manner in which the cord handle is stapled thereto.

Similar arts are designated by the same reference ciiaracters in the several views.

The present invention provides a machine which is capable of use generally for the purpose of stapling or similarly fastening attachments, such as cord handles, to bags or similar articles. The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described as applied to the stapling of loops or cord handles to bags, of, for example, the kind used for carrylng packages, but it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular construction shown nor to the particular use mentioned, as equivalent constructions and other uses for the invention are contemplated and these will be included within the scope of the claims.

The machine, as shown in the present instance, comprises a suitable table 1 supported by an appropriate frame 2, a stapling head 3 being mounted on the top of the table... A holder 4 is provided over which the open end or mouth of a bag on which the handles are tobe stapled, is adapted to be inserted, the bag receiving portion of this holder being arranged toward the front. of the machine. As shown more particularly in Figure 4, the bag receiving portion of the holder comprises a central portion 5 which is fixed to or forms a part of a reciprocating slide 6, the latter having rails 7 on its under side which are provided with ribs 8 which are guided to reciprocate in grooves 9 formed in the top of the table 1. The bag receiving portion of the bag holder also comprises end portions 10 and 11, the distance between the outer sides of these end portions preferably approximating, but being somewhat less than the Width of the bag mouth when the holder is in position for the removal or insertion of a bag. In Figure 4, B represents in dotted lines the mouth of a bag fitted over the bag holder.

Means is provided for expanding the bag receiving portion of the holder after the bag has been applied thereto and preparatory to the stapling of the handles thereon. Preferably and as shown in the present instance, one .of the end portions of the bag holder, the end portion 11 in the present instance, is suitably guided as by the dowel pins 12 for movement laterally of the central portion 5 of the hold-er, so that when this portion 11 of the bag holder is shifted toward the central portion 5 thereon, the width of the holder is less than that of the bag mouth, so that the bag which has been stapled can be readily removed or a bag to be stapled can be easily and quickly applied to the holder. Where, as in the present instance, the bag holder is reciprocatory so that it will occupy one position within convenient reach of the attendant to facilitate and expedite the removal of one bag and the appli# cation of another bag, and shifts to another position for. the application of the staples thereto, the movable section 11. of thebag holder is preferably actuated automatically in such relation to the shifting movements of the bag holder that the section 11 thereof will be collapsed toward the central portion 5 when the bag holder is in the former position, and it expands or moves away from the central portion 5 as the bag holder shifts toward the stapling position. Different means may be provided for shifting the bag holder section 11 to relatively expand and contract the bag holder. As shown in the present instance, a tension spring 13 is provided, one end of which is attached to the bag holder section 11 and the other end of which is attached, at 14, to the slide 6 so as to relatively spread the section 11 to expand the bag holder. A reeiprocatory bar 15, which is suitably guided in the slide 6, has an arm 16 which connects it to the shiftable bag holder section 11 one end of the bar 15 being adapted to project laterally beyond the adjacent side of the slide 6, under the influence of spring 13, and this end bar is preferably formed with a bevel 17. A tripper 18 for the bar 15 is mounted on the table 1 immediately along side of the slide 6 and in the path of the bevel 17 on the projecting end of the bar 15, the tripper being preferably provided with a bevel-19 which, as the shdeG moves forward, will contact with the bevel 17 011 the projecting end of the bar 15, and as the forward movement of the bag holder continues the bevel 17 will ride upon the bevel 19, in consequence of which the bar 15 will be pushed imvardly against the act on of the spring 13, and hence the shiftable bag holder section 11 will be relatively collapsed and the bag on the holder will be released. In order to enable the bag holder to be adjusted to the particular size of bag being handled, so that the bags'can be easily and quickly applied and removed from the member 11 of the holder, when collapsed, and so that the bags will be properly gripped and held by the expand ing movement of the bag holder section 11, the opposite end section 11 of the bag holder is also preferably adjustable in a direction laterally or from the central portion 5 of the bag holder, it being guided and supported in proper position by suitable means, such as the dowel pins 20. and this section 11 of the bag holder may be adjusted manually by a screw 21 which is fitted in the central portion 5 and has a thread-ed e11- gagement with the adjustable section 10, so

that rotation of the screw in the appropriate direction will suitably adjust the section in a direction laterally of the c-ental portion '5 of the holder. \Vhen the bag holder is in its forward position, the section 11 theieof will he held in collapsed relation to the central portion 5 of the holder by the tripper 18 which bears against the outer end of the. bar 15. At this time the bag holder projects at the front of the machine sabstantially as is illustrated in Figure 2; It is desirable to release the expansible section 11 so that the bag will be gripped and the machine.

held on the holder immediately preceding the retracting movement of the holder-which carries the bag into stapling position. To accomplish this result. the tripper l8 preferably comprises a slide whichis reciprocable vertically in guides 22 which are located at the adjacent side of the table 1, so that the tripper may be drawn downwardly out of the'path of the bar 15, thus permitting the bag holder section '11 to expand outwardly to grip the bag while the bag holder is still in its forward position. As shown, the tripper 18 has a rack fixed to it and th s rack meshes with an idler gear 24. which latter is rotated in the'appropriate direction to cause retraction ofthe tripper 18 by a gear sector 25, the letter being fixed on a shaft 26 whichconstitut-us a part of the starting device.

The present invention provides a starting device for initiating and terminating the cycle of operations of the machine, the starting device being so constructed and operative as to insure the attendant against injury'to either of the hands as might otherwise occur, due to catching of one of the hands in the stapling or some other; mechanism of Preferably and as shown in the present instance, the shaft 26 which is suitably supported in the frame by the brackets 27, controls the starting of the machine, as will he hereinafter described, this shaft having a pair of detcnts 28 which are fixed to and project upwa 'dly therefrom, and a pair of finger keys 29 are provided. .these finger keys being pivoted, at 30, one 'at each side of the bag holder. Each finger key has a hook 331 to engage the upper end of the respective detent 28 on the shaft 26, the finger keys then holding the shaft 26 in nonstarting position. Depression of either one of the finger keys alone will not release the shaft 26, as this shaft. will be held by the undepressed key,'but when both finger keys are simultaneously depressed. the shaft 26 will be released and permitted to operate in a manner that will be hereinafter described to start the machine into operation. As simultaneous depression of both finger keys requires the simultaneous use of both hands of the attendant, danger of injury to either hand of the attendant by the stapling mechanism or adjacent parts of the machine is avoided. The shaft 26, when released by the finger keys, rotates in a clock-wise direction in Figures 2 and 14, this rotaton of the shaft causing the gear sector 25, which is fixed thereon, to act in a manner to draw the tripper 18 do\\'1iwa1-(ll thus releasing the bar and allowing the spring 13 to expand and grip a bag applied to the bag holder.

The. present invention provides means for spreading or otherwise controlling the cord loops or handles of a bag applied to the bug holder, so that the loops or handles will be uniformly stapled or fastened in proper position on the bag. Assuming that cord loops or handles similar tothose designated H m Figure are to be stapled to the bag and that these cord loops or handles at the time the bag is applied to the bag holder merely have their ends inserted through perforas tions 72- formed in the respective side of the bag. these cord loops or handles, if uncontrolled, would not be uniformly stapled to the bags and in some instances, the portions of the loops or handles which are to receive the staples may fail to register with the stapling devices. The means provided in the present instancefor properly controlling and positioning the cord loops or handles preparatory to the stapling or fastening thereof, comprises a pair of pins 32 which project upwardly through slots 33 in the top of the slide (5, these pins being fixed to levers 3- which are pivoted at 35 to the under side of the slide (3. Suitable means, such. for example, as a tension spring 36 stretched between the levers 34, tends to draw and hold the pins 32 toward one another, their approaching movement being limited by the inner ends of the slots 33-}. \Vhen the pins 3:2 are in this position they will engage. within .a cord loop.or handle applied to the bag holder, portions of the cord loop or handle lying at the outer sides of the pins. Means is provided for relatively spreading the pins as the bag is brought towa d or into the stapling position, whereby the pins will be caused to engage the respective sides of the cord loops or handles and to expand them evenly so that the portions of the loops or handles which are to receive the staples will expand parallel or substantially so with respect to the length of the bag. The means shown in the present instance for spreading the pins 32 comprises a pair of fingers 37 which are pivoted at.38 to the top of the table 1 below the line of travel of the slide 6, but having their free ends in the line of travel of rollers or projections 39 on the respective levers 34. Leaf springs 40 fixed to the fingers 37 project beyond the pivots 38 of the fingers and into the respective paths of projections 41. which are carried by the slide 6. When the slide (3 is in its forward position and the bag holder is in a position either for the removal of a stapled bag or loo will be retracted with .respect'to the fingers 37, the projections 41 on the slide 6 willbe retracted with respect to the springs 40, and

the spring 36 will then be free to draw the pins 32 toward one another, so that the handle of a stapled bag can be readily removed from the holder without restraint by these pins, and also the cord loop or handle on a bag to be stapled will readily slip over these pins 32. \Vhc-n the slide 6 shifts rearwardly to can y the bag into stapling position, the final ortion of this rearward movement of the slide brings the rollers or projections 35) of the levers 34 into engagen'icnt with the free ends of the fingers 37 and also the projections 41 on the slide come into engagement with the springs which extend beyond the pivots 38 of the fingers 37, with the result that the springs 40 are flexed, thus forcing the free ends of the fingers against the rollers or projections 39, thus causing the levers 34 to swing outwardly or in a direction away from one another in opposition to the tension of the spring 36, thus spreading the pins 32, whereby the latter are caused to expand and properly shape and position the cord loop or handle for stapling. As the forward or return movement of the slide 6 con'unences, the rollers or projections 39 recede from the fingers 37 and also the projections 41 on the slide 6 reccde from the springs 40, and the spring 36 is then free to act to draw the pins 32 toward one another, thus releasing the stapled loop of cord therefrom.

Different means may be employed to reciprocate the bag holder, it being preferable, however, to actuate the bag holder and also the various other mechanisms of the machine from a main cam shaft which reas, for example, a drive wheel 47, and it may al-o be provided with a hand wheel 48, by which the power shaft may be manually turned when desired. The cam shaft 42 is adapted to be driven from a pinion 49 which is fixed on the power shaft and meshes with a gear 50, the latter being mounted loosely on the camshaft, so that it may revolve continuously, a clutch being provided for connecting the gear 50 to the cam shaft-to cause operation of the machine. Preferably, a socalled one revolution clutch is employed for this purpose, it operating, when released, to couple the gear 50 to the cam shaft and to maintain a driving connection between these elements until the cam shaft has completed one revolution, whereupon the clutch is automatically disengaged to free the gear 50 relatively to the cam shaft; As shown in the present instance, the gear 50 is provided with a hub 51 which is fixed within said gear, but is revoluble freely on the cam shaft, this hub being formed in one face with a suitable number of teeth 52, so that it constitutes one member of a jaw clutch, four teeth being preferably used. A 00- operating clutch member 53 is fixed to the cam shaft along side of the gear 50, this latter clutch member having a pawl 54 which is guided to reciprocate in a slot 55 which extends in a direction axially of the cam :haft.- A compression spring 56 acts on the pawl 54 and tends to engage the pawl with one of the teeth of the clutch member 51, and the pawl is provided with a dog or projection 57 by which the pawl may be retracted and held in disengaged relation with the clutch member 51. A clutch controlling member 58 is provided, this member being pivoted at 59 to a suitable stationary part of the main frame, and this member is formed with a helical or beveled portion 60 which is adapted to engage thedog or projection 57 of the clutch pawl and to retract this pawl to release the clutch when the clutch controlling member is in clutch-disengaging position; and the pawl will be released to cause engagement of the clutch when the clutch controlling member is retractechso as to disengage its portion 60 from the dog or projection 57 on the pawl. Until the starting device of the machine is actuated, the clutch controlling member 58 (Figures 16 and 17) will be in its elevated position. the portion 60 thereon engaging the dog 57 of the clutch pawl and holding the same in disengaged relation with the clutch member 51, so that the gear 50 may revolve idly on the clutch shaft. When the starting device of the machine is actuated. the clutch controlling member 58 is shifted downwardly, its portion 60 disengaging from the dog 57 of the pawl 54, thus allowing the latter, under the action of its spring 56, to engage one of the teeth of the revolving clutch member 51, the cam shaft being thereby coupled to the gear 50, so that it will revolve in unison therewith. The clutch controlling member- 58 is preferably actuated from the rock shaft 26, which latter is released by simultaneous operation of the two finger keys 29, the shaft 26 being provided for this purpose with an arm 61 which is fixed thereto and is pivotally connected to arod 62, the

latter being pivotally connected to the free trolling member 58 will be shifted down-v wardly into'substantially the position shown in Figure 17, thus releasing the pawl 54 for l engagement with the clutch member 51, as shown in Figure 16.

Means is preferably provided for resetting the clutch controlling member 58'to disengage the clutch and to cause stopping of the l cam shaft after the latter has made one revolution and has completed a cycle of operations of the machine. As shown in the present instance, the cam shaft has a cam 63 fixed to turn therewith and the shaft 26 has an arm 64 fixed thereon, this. arm carrying a roller or projection 65 which swings downwardly into the path of the cam 63 when the shaft 26 is released. Normally this cam will o ccupy substantially the position shown in Figure 14, butan approximately half revolution of the cam shaft following the starting of the machine will bring the cam 63 into a position to push the arm 64 upwardly,

in consequence of which the shaft 26 will be reset or restored to its former position,

the dogs 28 thereon being reengaged by a latching action with the two finger keys 29, and the arm 61 on the-shaft 26- being swung upwardly, thereby shifting the clutch controlling member 58 upwardly to bring its helical or beveled portion 60 into the path of the detent 57 on the clutch pawl 58. The final portion of therevolution of the cam shaft will cause the detent 57 to ride up on 40 the helical or bevelled surface 60, thereby disengaging the clutch pawl 54 from the toothed clutch member 51. The transmission of power to the cam shaft is thereby interrupted, the gear 50 being free to revolve on the cam shaft. A tension spring 66 is preferably attached to the clutch controlling member 58, this spring acting to quickly withdraw the clutch controlling member to cause prompt engagement of the clutch upon release of the shaft 26 by the finger keys, and this spring acts on the shaft 26, through the rod 62 and arm 61, and tends to rotate the shaft 26 in a clockwise direction (Figs.

2 and 14). Means is also preferably provided for quickly stopping the rotation of the cam shaft following the disengagement of the clutch. For example, a damper or friction brake may be provided for this purpose, the camshaft in the present in 0 stance having a drum 67 fixed thereon and arranged to be engaged by a pair of brake shoes 68, the latter being pivotally connected toa pin 69 which is fixed to one of the adjacent cross members 44 of the frame of the machine, and a spring 70 which encircles an adjusting bolt 71 acts on the free ends of the brake shoes, thereby pressing them against the friction drum 67 to )roduce the proper degree of resistance to t e rotation of the cam shaft, and thereby cause prompt stopping thereof following the disengagement of the clutch. In order to avoid shock or to ease the movement of the shaft 26, under the action of the spring 66, when it is released by pressure on the finger keys, a dash pot or other suitable means for this purpose may be employed. As shown in the present instance, an arm 72 is fixed to the shaft 26 and is operatively connected to the rod 73 which is attachedto the piston of a dash pot 74, the latter being mounted on a suitable bracket 7 5 which is attached to a part of the main frame of the machine. When the shaft 26 .is released by actuation of the finger keys,

the piston of the dash pot will drop, but its descent will be cushioned, thereby avoiding jar or rebound of the shaft 26 or the parts connected thereto.

The reciprocatory slide 6 which carries the tion it. remains for the removal of the stapled bag and the application of another bag thereto, until the finger keys are again actuated to start the machine for its next operation. The slide actuating means, as shown in the present instance, comprises a pair of companion cams 76 whichmay be fixed to the opposite ends of the cam shaft 42, these cams having duplicate, suitably shaped cam grooves 77 therein, in which operate rollers or projections 78 which are attached to cranks 79. These cranks are fixed on shafts 80 which are j ournalled in brackets 81 fixed to the main frame of the machine,

I and the shafts 80 have gear sectors 82 fixed thereon, these gear sectors meshing with racks 83 formed on or attached to the under side of the slide 6. The racks 83 may be conveniently formed on the lower sides of the ribs 8 which operate in the grooves 9 in the table 1 and serveto guide the slide 6. The cams 76 are so set on the cam shaft that when the latter is in its normal position of rest the gear sectors 82 will be swung forwardly or in the position shown in Figure 14, and the cam grooves 77 in the cams 76 are so shaped that the first part of the r0- tation of the cam shaft 26 will cause the gear sectors to swing rearwardly, thereby carrying the bag holder into a position which will position the bag properly to receive the staples; the following rotation of the cam shaft will cause the bag holder to remain stationary with the bag positioned to receive the staples, so that the stapling operation can be properly performed, and the final part of the revolution of the cam sha'ft will swing the gear sectors 82 forwardly to return the bagholder to its normal forward position where the bag holder remains upon stoppage of the cam shaft, until the machine is again started, whereupon the cycle of movements just described will be repeated. Preferably and as shown, the shafts 80 have cranks 84fixed on their inner ends and these cranks are rigidly connected to swing in unison by a bar 85, whereby the gear sectors 82 will be constantly maintained in the sameangular relation to each other, so that twisting of the slide 6 in its guides is prevented.

Difierent means may be employed for fastening the loops or handles to the'bags, although it is preferable to employ stapling means for such purpose. In the present 111- stance the machine is provided with apair of stapling devices which are supported by the head 3 so that they overhang the movable bag holder 4, these stapling devices operating concurrently to staple both ends of the loop or handle to the respective side of the bag. Stapling devices of any appropriate kind may be used. One form of stapling device is shown in Figures 9 to'12, inclusive, as an example, it comprising a vertically reciprocatory slide 86 which may be guided to operate in a housing 87 formed in the front of the head 3 and enclosed by the cover 88 thereof. This slide has an arm 89 thereon which fits into a notch 90 in the rearof a staple driving member 91, so that the latter will reciprocate vertically in unison withthe slide 86. A vertically reciprocable presser member 92 is connected to the lower portion of the staple driving member 91, by a pin 93 which causes the member 92 to be lifted by the member 91 when the latter is elevated or retracted, but permits con tinued downward movement of the staple driving member 91 relatively to the presser member 92, after the latter has come to rest on the bag. A staple forming finger 94 is movable in the slot 95 in the member 92, in which the staple driving member 91 operates, this staple forming finger having a bevelled upper surface and being carried by the lower end of a forwardly and rearwardly movable lever 96, the latter being pivoted intermediately, at 97, to a relatively fixed part on the head 3 and it is provided at its upper end with an inclined dog 98 which is arranged in the path of the bevelled upper end 99 of the staple driving member 91, when the latter rises, whereb the lever 96 will be rocked on its pivot 9 to swing its staple forming fin er 94 into a position beneath the staple riving member 91, when the latter is retracted. \Vhere, as in the present instance, two staples are to be formed and driven simultaneously by each stapling device, the lower part 100 of the housing of the stapling device is provided left below the presser member 92 when the latter is retracted upwardly into substantially the position shown in Figure 9, the staple forming finger 9.4 being then 'in its forward osition, so that these wires overlie it, as is s lown in F i ures 9 and 12. \Vhen the slide 86 moves fownwardly, a gravitycontrolled pawl 102, which is pivoted on the slide,'at 103, engages the top'of the presser member 92 and thereby causes this memberto .move' downwardly. When the lower edge'ofthe' presser member 92 reaches the wires NV- which extend across the. path of the member 92, these wires are sheared or cut-ofi' in lengths to form the staples. The lengths of wires thus cut off are held by the staple forming finger 94 which lies beneath them, and as the member 92 continues to descend, it bends the ends of these wires over the bevelled upper side of the staple forming-finger, thereby doubling the wires to form staples. As the. slide 86 continues to descend,'a relatively fixed pin 104,-which is located in the path of an ear 105 on the pawl 102, acts on the pawl to swing it aside, so that it will clear the top of the presser member 92, and as the slide continues. to descend, the staple driving member 91 will be lowered in the slot.95 of the member 92 until it pushes rearwardly out of its path the staple forming finger 94 and its lower end comes into proximity to the tops of the staples, at which time a spring plunger 106 'carried by the slide 86 engages the top of the presser member 92 and forces the same downwardly, carrying it and the staples into engagement with the bag and the loop or handle thereon. The final portion of the descent of the slide 86, which is permitted by the spring plunger 106, although the presser member 92 has come to rest, forces the staple driving plunger 91 downwardly to cause the staples to penetrate the side of the bag and to become clenched Within the bag. The bag having the cord loop or handle thereon, it is to be understood, is properly positioned beneath the stapling devices by the bag holder 4 which at this time occupies its rearmost positi0n,-the bag holder being preferably provided with anvils 107 in its upper surface to receive the ends of the staples and to properly clench them. The clenching of the staples relatively to the cord loop'or handle is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 11. When the stapling operation has been completed, the slide 86 ascends, it withdrawing upwardly the member 91 which, in turn, draws upwardly the member 92, and the bevel 99 on the upper end of the member 91 engages the dog 98 on the upper end of the lever 96 and thereby shifts the'staple forming finger 97 into position to form the staples for the next stapling operation. As the slide 86 rises, the pawl 102 swin by gravity into an upright position, so that it may assume a position above the member 92, substantially as is shown in Figure 9.

Different means may be employed for re-- 112 which project into vertical slots 113 formed in the slide 111; a pair of set screws 114 in the slide 111 are arrangedto bear on these lugs and thereby set and hold them in properly adjusted position, and a clamping bolt 115 secures the bracket 110 to the slide 111, so that the bracket in its properly adjusted position on the slide 111 will reciprocate in unison therewith. By this construction, the bracket 110 will act simultaneously on the slides 86 of the,stapling devices and will cause the latter to operate in unison. The slide 111 is guided to operate vertically in the head 3 and it has a portion which projects below the table 1, in order that it may be connected to suitable guiding means. The guiding means in the present instance con'iprises a cam 116 which is fixed on the cam shaft 42 and has cam grooves 117 in its opposite faces in which operate rollers 118 fitted. in a frame 119, the latter straddling the cam and also the cam shaft 42, so that it will be properly guided, and the upper end of this frame is fixed to the lower end of the slide 111. By this construction,.it will be understood that the slide 111 will be drawn down and then returned to its normal elevated position at the appropriate period in the rotation of the camshaft 42.

Any suitable means may be provided for feedingthe wires 1V to the stapling devices. As shown in the present instance, wire containing reels 120 are mounted at opposite sides of the head 3, and wire feeding devices are provided for periodically feeding the wires into the stapling devices. For example, each of the wire feeding devices may COll'lPI'lSG a wire gripping wheel 121 which engages the respective wire which extends between it and suitable idler wheels 122,

. there being two wire gri ')ping wheels for the pair of wires to be fed to each stapling device. The wire gripping wheels may be I fixed on shafts 123, the latter being connected by ratchets 124 to actuating pinions 125, so that rotation of each pinion 125- in one direction will rotate the wire gripping wheels 121 to feed the respective wires, while vgear sector 130 thereon which meshes with a rack bar 131 which is carried by the respective side or edge of the slide 111, there being one of these racks 131 in each side of the slide 111 for the actuation of the respective stapling device. In the construction'shown, each up stroke of the slide 111 will rotate the wire gripping wheels 121 to feed the wires \V into the respective stapling devices, the wire feeding devices being idle during the down strokes of the slide 111. In order to enable the racks 131 to be adjusted relatively to the slide 111, each of these racks may be formed separately from the slide and fitted in a recess 132 formed In the adjacent edge thereof, a set screw 133 being fitted in the slide and engaging the lower end of the rack and thus serving to position the rack vertically with respect to the slide. Also, each rack 131 is preferably movablein a groove 132 above the screw 133 and is yieldingly held in engagementwith the top of the screw 133. For such purpose, each rack may be formed with a laterally projecting lug 134 on which a comfollows: The bag having a cord loop or handle 11 projecting through perforations k in the side of the bag (Figure 20) is applied, mouth foremost, over the front end of the bag holder 4, the latter, when the machinev is at rest, projecting forwardly from the machine, substantially as is shown in Figure 2, and the section 11 of the bag holder will be in its collapsed position against the central section 5 of the bag holder. In applying the bag to the bag holder, the cord loop or handle is arranged so that the pins 32 lie within it. With a bag placed on the holder, as described, the operator starts the machine by simultaneously depressing both finger keys 29 by the use of both hands. This operation causes the finger keys to immediately release the shaft 26, permitting the latter to rotate in a clockwise direction (Figure 14) under the influence of the spring (36, in consequence of which the tripper 18 will descend, thus releasing the bar 15 so that the spring 13 will act to expand the bag holder section 11 relatively to the central section 5, thereby causing the bag to be gripped and securely.

.lease by the finger keys, also allows actuation of the clutch controller 58 to cause the clutch pawl 54 to engage with the clutch member 51, whereupon power from the continuously running shaft 45 will rotate the main cam shaft 42. The first part of the revolution of the main cam shaft causes the gear sectors 82 to shift the bag holder 4 rearwardly, thus bringing the bag thereon into stapling position, and when the bag holder approaches the limit of its rearward movement. the pins 32 are spread apart, thus forming a cord loop or handle properly to receive the staples. this being indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 4. The bag holder dwells in this position during which the stapling operation takes place, the

slides 86 of the stapling devices descending to simultaneously form and drive the staples for both ends of the loop or handle, whereupon the slides 86 of the stapling devices rise and return to their normal elevated positions. The gear sectors 82 then swing forwardly, returning the bag holder to its normal forward position, and as the bag holder assumes the latter position, the section 11 of the bag holder is moved inwardly or in collapsed position against the central portion 5 of the bag holder, so that the latter releases its rip upon the bag, thus enabling the stapled bag to be easily and quickly removed and another bag to be applied to the bag holder. During the revolution of the cam shaft 42 to perform the operations described. the cam 63 thereon engages the roller 65 on the arm 64 attached to the shaft :26, whereby the latter is rotated back to its initial position, thus re-engaging the dogs 28 thereon with the hooks 31 on the finger keys, and the final portion of the return rotation of the shaft 26 draws the clutch controller 58 upwardly to the point where its helical or beveled portion 60 is brought into the path of the dog 57 of the' clutch; and the final part of the revolution of the clutch will cause the pawl 54 to be withdrawn against the action of its spring 56 and thereby disengage from the clutch member 51. drum 67 will then cause prompt stoppage of the cam shaft.

The work of the attendant in applying and removing the bags is greatly facilitated by causing the bag holder to contract as it assumes its forward bag-receiving position,

and, moreover, the operation of applying the bags is further facilitated 'by the shape of the bag holder, the middle portion of receive the mouth of a bag and reciprocawhich projects forwardly beyond the side sections, so that it will initially enter the} operative relation with said fastening apbag mouth, the reversely inclined front edges of the side sections preferably sloping The friction brake acting on the laterally and rearwardly away from the middle section and being also preferably bevelled, as shown, so thatthesesections of the holder will progressively enter the bag mouth. The automatic gripping of the bag on the holder prior to its movement which carries the ta thereon into stapling position, prevents displacement of the bag from its correct position on the holder after-it has been applied thereto by the attendant. The application and removal of the bags may, therefore, he performed easily and very quickly, and hence the period of idleness of the machine 1s very short.

By providing means for engaging and positioning the cord loops or handles numediately prior to the stapling thereof to the bag, correct and uniform application of the handles and the staples is insured, and furthermore the attendant is relieved of the duty of manually holding the handles in place during the stapling operation.

The starting means provided not only serves efficiently for the controlling of the operation of the machine, but it also cons'titutes a safety device'for the protection of the attendant, as it requires the use of both hands of the attendant in order to start the machine into operation, so that there is no opportunity for either hand of the attendant to become injured by becoming caught in the stapling devices or any other part of the machine.

By providing a mechanism which, when started into operation, will automatically perform all the cycle of operations, simplicity and rapidity of operation are attained, the operator being required merely to apply the bags to be stapled and to remove the stapled bags. It is to be understood that the machine as herein shown staples the handle v to one side of the bag at each operation, so that the same operation will be repeated on the other side of the bag in order to complete the fasteningof the handles thereto.

I claim as my invention 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of fastening applying means, and a reciprocatory holder projecting for wardly from the fastening applying means and shaped to receive-the mouth of a bag and operative to carry the bag month thereon in a direction longitudinally of the bag and to and from cooperative relation with the fastening applying means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of devices for applying fastenings to secure handles to bags, and a bag holder having a relatively expansible and contractible'portion directed forwardly beneath the fastening applying devices to plying devices.

' of fastening applying devices,

3. In a machine for applving fastenings' .ible .and has an unobstructed forward end which is directed forwardly from the fas-.

teningapplying devices to receive thereon and to-grip the mouth of a bag, the bag holder being movable to carry a bag thereon to and from cooperative relation with said fastening applying devices, and means operative to cause expansion of the bag holder prior to the operation of the fastening devices.

4. In a machine for applying fastenings to secure handles to bags, the combination a ba holder which is expansible and contractibleand is directed forwardly beneath the fastening applying devices to receive thereon and to grip the mouth of a bag, the bagholder-bemg movable forwardly I to, receive a bag thereon and movable rearwardly to carry a bag thereon into position to receive 'fas-- tenings from said devices, and means operative to cause expansion of the bag holder prior to its movement into said fasteningreceiving position. I

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of fastening applying means, a

' bag holder adapted to receive the mouth of a bag andmovable tocarry the same to and from cooperative relation with'said means,

the bag holder being expansible and contractible, and means for causing expansion of the bag holder prior to its movement to carry a bag thereon into cooperative relation with the fastening applying means and for maintaining the bag holder in expanded form until after it has been removed from cooperative relation with the fastening applying means.

6. n a machine of the class described, the

- combination of fastening applying means, a 45' 3 bag holder which is direct forwardly. be neath the fastening applying means and is contractible to receive and expansible to grip the mouth of a bag, the bag holder being movable in a forward and rearward direction to carry a bag thereon to and from operativeposition relatively to-the fastening applying means, and means for causing expension of the bag holder rior to its move-. ment into said position an for causing contraction of the bag holder while it is movin out of said position.

. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of fastenin applying means, a bag holder having a ten ency to expand and adapted to receive and grip the mouth of a bag thereon, the bag holder being movable to carry a bag thereon to and from operative position relatively to the fastenlng applying means, the means for causing the holder to expand prior to 1ts movement into said position andfor maintainingthe holder in expanded form while it is moving out of said ition. 3 p

8. n a machine; of the class-described,

the combination of fastening applyingmeans, a bag holder having a yieldingly exthe mouth r, .the bag .holder being reciprocable to carry a' bag pansible-portion adapted to gri of a bag applied to the hold thereon to and from-a position in coo rameans, and means for releasing said expansible portion to cause it to grip a ba'g' on the holder prior to its movement of the bag into said osition and for contracting tracted tion.

I tive relation withthe fastening app ying 9. In a machine of the class combination of fastening applying means, a

bag holder adapted to rece vethe mouth of abag and having a spring-actuated section operative to expand within the bag mouth and thereby gripa bag on the holder, the holder being reclprocable to carry a bag to,

and froma position to cooperate with-the;

fastening applying means, and a controlling member operative to contract said section during movement of the holder in a direction away from said position, said member 7 retractible to release said section for e an-.

sion prior to the movement of the bag ho der toward said position. v

10. Ina machine of the .class described, the combination of sta ling means, and a holder adapted to receive and to grip the mouth of a bag and reciprocable 1n a-direction longitudinally of the bag to carry the bag mouth thereon to and from cooperative relation with the stapling means, the

holder having a section at one side thereof which is ex ansible and contr'actible laterally relative y to the body of the holder torespectively grip and release the mouth of a bag and spring actuated means operative to expand said sections;

11. In a machine of the class described, .a reciprocatory. bag holder having a middle portion adapted to initially enter the mouth of a bag, and lateral portions the forward edges of which are reversely inclined rearwardly relatively to the forward edge of the middle portion and are adapted to progressively enter the side portions of the mouth of the bag while the latter is being applied to the holder, said lateral portions being movable toward and from sald middle ortion in a direction transversely of the'd1rec-' tion of reciprocation of the holder.

12. In amachine for fastening handles to bags, the combination offastening applyingv means, a holder adapted to receive the mouth of a bag and to position the bag relatively to the fastening applymgmeans, and means arranged to cooperate wlth a handle on a.

13. In a machinefor fastening handles to bags, the combination of fastening applying means, a holder adapted to rece1v e and position a bag relatively to the fastening apply:

ing means, and devices arranged to receive a handle on a bag applied to the holder and tions over which the handle on a operative to expand and thus shape and po sition the handle relatively to/the fastening applying means.

14:. In a machine for fastening handles to bags, the combination of fastening applying means, a holder adapted to rece ve a ag having a loop-like handle projecting there from and to position the bag relatively to the fastening applying means, and rojecag 1s looped when a bag is applied to the holder, said projections being relatively movable in a direction to spread them apart to expand the handle and position it relatively to the fastening applying means.

15. In a machine for fastening handles to bags, the combination of fastening applying means, a holder adapted to receive a bag and movable to position the bag relatively to the fastening applying means, and devices set to receive a loop-like handle on the .bag while the holder is in bag receiving position and relatively movable to position the handle relatively to the fastening applying means when the holder has positioned the bag relatively to the fastening applying means.

16. In a machine for fastening handles to bags, the combination of fastening applying means, a reciprocatory holder adapted to receive a bag having a loop-like handle projecting therefrom and to position the bag relatively to the fastening applying means, devices carried by the bag holder and arranged to receive the handle on a bag applied there to, and means operative in consequence of J the movement of the holder to carry the bag thereon into position relatively to the fastening applying means for actuating said devices to shape the handle and to position it relativel to the fastenin a pl in means.

17. In a machine foi -f ste hin g handles to bags, the combination of fastening applying means, a reciprocatory bag holder adapted to receive a bag having a loop-like handle projecting therefrom and to carry the ba into operative position relatively to said fastening applying means, pins projecting from the upper side of the holder to receive the handle on a bag applied thereto, said pins being capable of relatively spreading movement, and means operative in consequence of the movement of the holder in a direction to carry the bag thereon into operative position relatively to the fastening applying means for relatively spreading said position the handle 1'0- 19. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of fastening applying means, a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocatory holder for carrying a bag into operative relation with the fastening applying means, actuating mechanism for the said means and holder, and means for controlling the starting of said mechanism embodying a pair of finger keys located at opposite sides of the bag holder and requiring simultaneous manipulation to start said mechanism. 20. In a machine for stapling loop-like handles on bags, the combination of staplin devices, areciprocatory bag holder adapted to receive the mouth of a bag having a handle projecting therefrom, means for reciprocating said holder to carry the bag thereon into operative relation with the stapling devices, handle-positioning devices carried by the bag holder and having means operative in consequence of the movement of the bag holder for actuating them to engage and position the handle in operative relation with the stapling devices, and means for actuating the stapling devices to staple the ends of the handle to the bag on the holder. .21. In a machine for stapling handles on bags, the combination of stapling devices, a bag holder having a relatively contractible and expansible portion to receive and grip the mouth of a bag, said holder being reciprocable to carry a bag thereon into operative relation with the stapling devices, means for reciprocating the bag holder,

spring-actuated means for causing expansion of the bag receiving portion of the bag holder prior to the movement of the latter to carry a bag thereon into operative relation with the stapling devices, and. for causing contraction of said portion of the bag holder after the latter has been returned substantially to its opposite position, and means for actuating the stapling devices While the bag holder positions the bag in operative relation thereto.

22. In a machine for stapling loop-like handles on bags, the combination of stapling devices, a bag holder having a relatively contractible and expansible portion to reoeive the mouth of a bag, said holder being reciprocable to carry a bag thereon into opbag holder, means for actuating the stapling 1 devices while thebag and handle are operatively positioned relativel thereto, 'and means for stoppin the machine with the bag holder removed rom the stapling devices and its bag receiving portion in contracted condition.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

TRUE M. AVERY. 

